Please click on pix for closer look

I’masking the question about this bracelet — do you think it’s too much bling? Too many Swarovski crystals? I’ve got friends that would seriously debate on the side of “There’s never too much bling”.But for some folks it might be — I’m not really sure.

I used the sapphire blue Swarovskis in the bracelet with the thought that blue has become another neutral color for a lot of us – like black or khaki or taupe. A good majority of us wears jeans as our casual look and without even thinking about it – blue now goes with everything.

When I wove this bracelet yesterday using Argentium sterling rings and Swarovski crystals I decided to add more crystals than are commonly used in this design. When I finished it last night I really liked it — now that I’ve looked at it this morning I’m asking “Too much bling?”.

If you would like to purchase this bracelet, it’s for sale on Artfire and      1000 Markets in  my shops and I guess the answer will lie in the fact of how quickly or if it sells.

Please click on pix for a closer look.

Well, I had an interesting time last weekend. I did a Wellness Expo… Really had not idea what to expect — new age, chanting, drums beating??

Well, actually not as ‘new age’ as I had feared. No chanting that I heard on my end of the exhibit hall but there were drums beating and bowl ringing. The bowl ringing was unusual but kind of pretty.

The physics were at the other end of the exhibit hall from me — the drums were a lot closer to them than me. In between us there were folks with beautiful painted scarves, crystals (not the Swarovski kind — although I had a couple of women ask me when pointing at some of my earrings “‘what kind of power do they have?’), massage – Thai massage done on the floor, regular massage done on massage tables, Reiki massage, and countless other things I didn’t even know what they were.

Right next to me was a photographer — Gene Summers of Countryside Images . He had some wonderful work – I think my favorite was a picture of a street scene in Italy with vibrant red geraniums.

My favorite vendor there was a chocolatier – Josie from Terra Source Gourmet Chocolates. I have to admit I was hesitant ’cause I saw a label that said vegan — I’ve tried vegan things before and frankly, not been thrilled. Well, these are to die for — the most wonderful chocolates I’ve had — and Josie’s beats Godiva’s hands down. Please order some from her and help keep her in business. She’s like the rest of us — a ‘real’ day job and then creates the chocolates at night and sells on the weekend and online. Truly an artist with chocolate!

One of the most looked at pieces over the course of the weekend was the bracelet pictured above. I bet 9 out of 10 people picked it up, admired it – actually almost petted it and put it back on the table. It’s apparently one of those ‘waiting for the right person’. I’ve had a couple of other pieces like that and as much as they are admired they seem to ‘belong’ to someone who hasn’t come along yet. And they all wanted to know what kind of stone it was… And I’m not sure — I lost the tag somewhere along the line before I ever made the bracelet. I’m kind of leaning toward Kyanite but not 100%  sure. If you recognize it, please let me know and I’ll be glad to give it a proper name. Maybe that’s why no one bought it – it’s waiting for a name, like a puppy!

Please click on bracelet for closer look

on time management… just as soon as I can work it into my schedule.”

Sometimes that is exactly how I feel! Especially at this time of the year! Art Show applications  flood the table. I look at them, sort and change my mind and sort some more.

“What shall I do” and “Where shall I show”? Pieces of paper flutter to the floor — shall I even pick them up? Am I making the right decision?

Well, one decision I made was to create this bracelet pictured above. It all started with a coil of wire — I’m sure my customers sometimes must tire of hearing that phrase…. But it’s the truth(said in an Edith Ann voice). I had a great time creating it — learned some new things along the way too!

(And as soon as I’ve made my decisions where I’ll be this summer — I’ll let you all know) Stay tuned!

I entered a contest with the Fire Divas that was for folks creating jewelry using lampwork beads. Now the beads are not by me — I’m not that good. See post below for information. If you would like to vote for me please go to this blog and vote for me — I’m number 11. I’m including a copy of it below so you will recognize it.

Entry 11:The beads were made by Moon Stumpp of www.mixedmediajewelry.com/.
This chainmaille necklace is approximately 18 inches long. Woven in a basic 2 in 2 sterling chainmaille weave, I donated to the Phoenix Society for the Silent Auction at World Burn 2009.
Inspiration from this piece was the fact that I entered the Art Show at WisCon 2009 in Madison WI. I thought that the beads looked like little galaxies shot through with stars and planets. When it didn’t sell there, I donated it for the Silent Auction mentioned above.

Please click on picture for a closer look

Last Saturday, I had a small Art Show at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. They called it Absolutely Art. I was of mixed feelings about it — small show of select artists which sounds good but you never know. I questioned the ladies running the show – was it art or craft or a mix? And probably drove them nuts with my continued questions. No, they assured me. Only art folks. And yes, they were advertising — newspapers, neighborhoods, Craigslist, etc.

Ok, I’m game. Nice neighborhood – older, well established area. Thank heavens for GPS – or Miss Mouth as she’s called in our family. Have you named your GPS? Like folks used to name their cars, don’t you think? Anyhow…

Set up was of Friday if you wished. I wished and so my hubby came along to help me carry and get set up. Nice fellowship hall, a touch smaller than our church but room for 10-12 booths. And when I  walked in, I felt so much better. There was Sherry Ackerman of 14 South Artists — a fellow artist who does wonderful watercolors. Come to find out, she does watercolor classes with one of the ladies organizing the show. It’s amazing to me to see what a wide variety of watercolors Sherry produces. Bold, bright colors with fairies living among zinnias and daisies dancing their way down garden paths! Quiet, soft almost sepia tones of water lilies. Hard to believe it is the same medium.

Saturday morning folks came to look and pause and give their opinion of our artwork. One lady informed me, looking at my sterling chainmaille bracelets, that she wasn’t here to buy jewelry – she came to buy ART. I saw her leave in a while empty handed. So much for her thoughts about art…

I was pleased to see Rachel Brooke with her delicate, wired jewelry showing also. At the Madison Farmer’s Market I had seen her work a couple of years ago. Wonderful and delicate work!

Michelle Martin of Purple Moon Fibers had a great display of her felted wool works. Animals, gnomes and beautiful bowls graced her tables. If you missed her work there you can find her on Esty.

Something I had never seen before at a show were paintings of Mary and baby Jesus, the Last Supper, the Disciples and various saints. Very Iconic looking – especially to a small town Methodist girl.

Beautiful scarves were featured by one artist – lovely use of ribbons and various fibers. Diane was an art teacher for years and I bet her classes were great!

The necklace pictured above was a special order that was delivered at the show. And the customer loved it! So did the other ladies around her. It’s Argentium silver — much slower to tarnish that sterling. I started with a coil of wire, made the rings and cut them, then wove the necklace using my pliers. It feels wonderful on your neck!

Over all, it was a nice experience and in the words of Arnold — I’ll be back next year!

Please click on pix for a complete look at the bracelet

Directing is: you’re overwhelmed the whole time. Your mind never stops. If you care about it,  you wake up in the morning and you begin thinking about it and then you go to sleep at night and you’re still thinking about it.
спални Campbell Scot

Sometimes jewelry making must be like directing a movie – according to this quote. Your mind never stops – I need to order more box clasps, where is that strand of jasper I bought, do I have time to knot that strand of freshwater pearls… Well, that might be an exaggeration ’cause my mind stops at the most inopportune time. When the customer ask “What is this stone – it’s so pretty?” When the tax man says “Are you going to have a profit this year?” And most of all, when you’re right in the middle of a sentence and your mind goes blank. I’m assuming Campbell Scott doesn’t have this problem.

I do have a feeling of being overwhelmed right now — I’m a third of the way through November and I still have 4 events to do yet this year!

I’m doing a show at St Luke’s Episcopal Church in Madison at 4011 Major Ave Madison November 21 from 9-3pm.

One Thanksgiving weekend, you will find me in Janesville at Book World on Milton Ave doing a section of the  Art Loop during the day 10-4pm.

December 5 and 6 I’ll be in Oregon at the High School Commons area with my jewelry. There are 24 artists – or maybe a couple more with a variety of one of a kind or limited edition art pieces. Photography, watercolor, jewelry, painting, fiber arts, woodworking, gourd art, and more will be available for those of you finishing up your Christmas shopping. 10-6 on Saturday and 10-4 on Sunday will be a wonderful time to shop a great gathering of local artists.

Beloit Wisconsin has a yearly Christmas event called the Hollidazzle — it sounds quite exciting and I’m looking forward to this. Beloit has had event for quite a few years. I’ll be at at The Villager on 429 E Grand Ave Friday evening December 11 from 5-9pm.

And now you will understand why I feel overwhelmed. In addition, I’m trying to improve my photographic skills so my jewelry looks more ‘lifelike’. Personally, I didn’t know jewelry could look ‘lifelike’ but in a class last weekend that’s what I was told. So you will notice my pictures are once again changing – adding to the overwhelming feeling of trying to cram too much knowledge in this old brain of mine!!

Please feel free to come and shop at any of the events listed — but if you can’t get there, please feel free to email me with your jewelry wishes.

eSMArts is spreading the love with a bundle of unique, handmade delights to warm your holiday!

One lucky winner will receive a bagful of hand made artisan items donated by members of eSMArts Team~!

For details visit http://www.hiddensantagiveaway.blogspot.com and join in the fun~!

Please click on picture for a closer look.

As my husband reads the title of this piece over my shoulder and laughs, I know that you can only vote once for me but I would appreciate your one vote per person.

A group of Etsy artisans that I belong to host a themed challenge every month. The last couple of months I really couldn’t wrap my brain around the theme but this month was great! Flowers! I can do that!

I didn’t want to just use flower beads — I wanted a different thought for flowers and then it occurred to me — the Hippy Chick bracelet. Not my own weave design but surely fitting for the challenge. I wove this bracelet to be the whole ‘flower bed’ with an assortment of colors. Unfortunately, it’s a hard bracelet to take a picture of and you will have to settle for looking at a section of the ‘flower bed’. Please click and follow the link to vote. I (and my bracelet) would really appreciate it!

Please click on picture for a closer look

This weekend I participated in the 14 South Artists Fall Art Tour for my 4th year, I believe. I wish my mind kept better track of things for me!

This bracelet was one of my object lessons about making chainmaille. I had taken my cutting system (although as I was not in my own home I didn’t actually cut any rings) and my other basic tools and showed folks what is involved in weaving bracelets. I had open and closed links that I worked on while folks were admiring the stained glass that was being featured by the hostess — Ann Miller of Glass Artistry. Then when they wandered over to me — I showed them the tools, gave a quick explanation about the tools, etc and then I showed them the little rings and pointed out that about 550 of those little rings were in the bracelet shown above. And that got their attention!

When you have the ability to teach people about what they might buy in the future and why they should buy handmade products from a local artisan it may take a while for it to sink in. Folks need to see an artist’s work at least 5 times, on average, before they will do more than purchase just a small ‘impulse’ buy. If you would like to purchase the bracelet pictured above, please click.

There is no picture of jewelry today. However, an online friend passed this site along this morning. And I think it is a perfect blend of music and pictures — especially at this time of the year — heading into fall, the anniversary of 9/11.

I agree with Diane — Ecclesiates 3 has been one of my favorite passages since I learned it long ago.

The Canadian Bible Society put the lovely scripture of the 3rd Chapter to Pachelbel’s Canon in D. The accompanying video has really nailed the poetry of The Book of Ecclesiastes.

*Be sure your computer’s sound is ‘on’… Click here… **Ecclesiastes 3
<http://www.biblesociety.ca/free_scriptures/escriptures/ecclesiastes3/ecclesiastes3.html>**

To quote Diane Morgan – “You will so be glad you did…enjoy.”

There is no further need for words today.